Meat production down by 15%

Meat production and producer value in the third quarter this year went down by 15% and 9.1% respectively when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2011.

Production in the third quarter of 2012 amounted to 2,483 tonnes, a drop of 15% over the comparative period last year.

This was brought about by drops in the production of beef and pigmeat by 10.1% and 30.4% respectively.

On the other hand, an increase of 15.4% was registered in the production of broilermeat.

During the period under review, the producer value of animals slaughtered at licensed slaughterhouses declined by €0.5 million (-9.1%) to €5.1 million, when compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

This was due to a decline in the producer value of slaughtered cattle and pigs by 7.2% and 21.4% respectively. Conversely, an increase of 14.0% was registered in the producer value of slaughtered broilers.

During the quarter under review, the average carcass weight of slaughtered cattle and broilers rose by 5.5% and 2.0% respectively. However, the average carcass weight in respect of slaughtered pigs decreased by 6.0%.